• Family Recipe: Sugar Cookies

    Sugar Cookies are a great treat to make around the Holidays.  They are versatile in that they can be made into a variety of shapes and decorated a lot of different ways as well as they are the base for many of other wonderful cookies.  The kids enjoy them and always love helping decorating the sugar cookies with frosting, sprinkles, and more around this time of year.  Sometimes I will make up several batches of Sugar Cookies then freeze the dough so I can pull them out when I need it which helps speed up the process for several other recipes our family enjoys eating and sharing with others.

    Sugar Cookies

    • 1/3 cup Butter or Margarine
    • 1/3 cup Shortening
    • 3/4 cup Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 2 cups All Purpose Flour

    1.  Beat butter and shortening on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar, baking powder, and a dash of salt.  Beat till combined, scraping the bowl so everything is well blended.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Gradually add the flour into the mixture.

    2.  Cover and chill dough for 1 to 3 hours to make it easier to handle when making cookies or cutouts.

    3.  Lay down wax paper and lightly flour.  Roll the dough to 1/8 inch thickness.  Use a variety of cookie cutters to make the shapes you want.  Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.  Note: if you will not be frosting but want sprinkles on the cookies do it once the cookies are cut out and ready to be baked.  A lot of times I will do it once they are on the cookie sheet because it catches some of the extra sprinkles. Bake at 375° for 7 to 9 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are firm and light brown.  Cool on rack and decorate.

    Many times I just do steps 1 and 2 so I can use the Sugar Cookie batter base to make a variety of different cookies.  Whether you do sprinkles, frosted, swirls, cups, or whatever enjoy the quick and easy recipe that allows you to share many delicious treats with your family and friends.

  • Christmas Song: “Give This Christmas Away” by Matthew West

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdbNlQtHlFE

    It is the season of giving gifts to family, friends and neighbors.  We have a wonderful opportunity to share what God has given us and minister to others not only during the Holidays but throughout the entire year.  Do you have a creative way that give to others in your community?

  • Gift Giving: Baking Christmas Goodies

    It has been a busy week!  Tomorrow I am very excited to have the opportunity to get together with Ashley from Reflecting on the Simple Things in Life and cook up some yummy recipes to share with friends, family and neighbors.  It should be a lot of fun and I am sure we’ll have some funny stories to tell and pictures to share.   I have all my recipes marked and a table full of ingredients to pack.  The girls are licking their lips thinking about all the amazing goodies that are going to be created tomorrow.  They have been asking for two weeks if the “baking” day was here yet.

    Here is what we are looking forward to baking tomorrow:

    Several of the recipes I have never tried, however, they all appear to be fairly easy to make.  It will be interesting to see what we can accomplish in a few hours and if we have any hiccups along the way. No matter what happens it will be a day full of fun and memories.  Since the oven will be full of baking goodies we decided to give ourselves a break from cooking a meal for everyone and will be ordering pizza for dinner.

    While we are busy in the kitchen cooking the men will be helping entertain the kids, enjoying some time gaming together among other tasks I am sure they will be delegated to do.  They don’t get together as often now with all the busy family schedules so they are looking forward to some fun time too.   The kids are really excited about having some time to play together while we cook.  Although I have been told from my girls that they want to taste every recipe to make sure it is good before we give it to anyone else.   So now I am off to pack up the ingredients, sprinkles and all, so we can eat dinner at the table tonight.  I look forward to sharing our adventures with you next week!

  • Christmas Ornament Tradition

    Every year we give each of the girls a new ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.  When it is time to decorate for Christmas they have a lot of fun  pulling out the ornaments with their names on it and talking about the memories from that year.  Once they leave home and are out on their own they will receive all of their ornaments that they had accumulated throughout the years to put on their tree in their new home.

    Every year the ornament is unique.  We write the child’s name and the year on the ornament.  Any homemade ornaments they make at home,  school, church or at another event we put their name on it so they can add it to their collection of ornaments.  Sometimes on craft nights we put together fun items to hang around the house and share with family and friends.  The girls enjoy seeing ornaments that Mommy made as a little girl too.  They giggle at the ornaments I put together and love knowing that they will have their ornaments on the tree as well.

    Our tree doesn’t have to be perfectly color coordinated.  We have had branches with 6 ornaments on it and others that have several bulbs of the same color right next to each other.  It is not necessarily “how” it looks but that it is an expression of fun times together as a family.  Having the kids help decorate the tree that is full of memorable ornaments is more important to me then the perfect tree.  They have been known to rearrange the ornaments almost daily some years.  In our house decorating the tree is a fun time of listening to Christmas music, reminiscing, and decorating together as a family.

    Do you have a fun family tradition when it comes to decorating your family Christmas tree?

  • Christmas Song: “How Many Kings” by Downhere

    December is a full month with the Holiday celebrations, traveling, and gifts.  May we remember the ultimate gift that was given to us.  I look forward to celebrating my Savior’s birth while creating new memories with family and friends.

  • Gift Giving: Homemade Handprint Ornaments

    Are you looking for great gifts to give but are on a tight budget?   This is a simple recipe that uses a few items from your pantry and makes a thoughtful Christmas Gift.  Last year for Christmas gifts we made Homemade Cinnamon Handprints for Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and extended family members.  They were inexpensive, easy to do, and the girls had a lot of fun. You probably have all the ingredients already.

    Cinnamon Handprint Ornaments:

    • 2 cups Flour
    • 1 cup Salt
    • 5 teaspoons Cinnamon
    • 3/4 cup Water

    Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  Stir in water gradually to make dough.  If it is sticking to your hands, add more flour or if it is too crumbling add more water.  Knead dough for approximately 8 minutes until smooth.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Roll out dough to desired thickness (typically between 1/4 to 3/4 inches thick).

    We used a football cookie cutter for the oval (you can use a circle or anything big enough that they can fit their hands in) than lightly floured their hands before making a slight indention on the clay.  We took a stamp and pressed their first initial in the bottom of each palm to help us remember who it belonged to.  Since my girls are twins their hand sizes are almost the same!

    After making the handprint in the clay use a straw to make a hole in the top so you can hang the ornament.

    Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour.  (Thicker dough will take longer to bake).  They are done when the clay is dry, you notice a slight change in color.  Cool and add a ribbon of your choice!

    Optional: Once cooled you can use spray on polyurethane for extra shine.

    Ours still smell great even after a year.  We made more than one batch since we have a large family but you can do as many as you want.  With the extra dough we made Christmas ornaments so we could hang them on the tree.

  • Counting Days on the Advent Calendar

    Several years ago my sister-in-law sent us an Advent Calendar.  The girls enjoy getting out all the Christmas decorations and hanging up the calendar.  Our calendar has a small pocket that fits two small pieces of candy  perfectly.  Every day, starting on December 1st through December 24th, the girls get a piece of hard candy from the Advent Calendar.  I pick up the candy when it is on sale or purchase with CVS or Walgreen rewards.  They are excited because they get to eat a piece of candy and can easily count the days until Christmas.  In addition to the candy I have been known to add a verse to read for the day.  It is important that the kids know the true meaning of Christmas especially in a society with so many other influences.

    It is a busy time of year and spreading the excitement throughout the month is a lot of fun.  It is an easy way to track the days leading up to Christmas.  The calendar would be fairly simple to make for someone who is crafty and can use a sewing machine.  How do you spread the excitement of Christmas over the whole month for your family?

  • Gift Giving: 12 Days of Christmas

    This year we decided to spread the Holiday Cheer out at our house this year by doing the 12 Days of Christmas.  Christmas morning can be so busy and this allows an opportunity to spread the fun over 12 days instead of packing everything into one day.  Starting December 13th the girls will be able to open one a day until Christmas.  The cost was less than $20 total, including boxes and wrapping paper.  Most of the gifts were bought on clearance over the past year.  We did a joint stack for both of our girls, however, you can choose to do a stack for each person.

    Here is what our 12 Days of Christmas includes:

    • Day 1:   A Labrador Puppy Christmas Ornament for each (purchased with rewards last year after Christmas on clearance).
    • Day 2: A CD with Songs and Stories – 1 on Traveling and 1 on Classical Stories and Songs (purchased with rewards in $1 section)
    • Day 3: Travel Game for 2 – Connect 4 (found on clearance at Bi-Lo for 49 cents)
    • Day 4: 4 Plastic Christmas Cups – Red with Snowmen (purchased with rewards on clearance last year)
    • Day 5: Books – 1 on “Helping Others” and 1 on “Forgiving” (purchased at Dollar Tree)
    • Day 6: Christmas Craft with Stickers (purchased with rewards on clearance)
    • Day 7: 2 Mini Mouse Candy Canes filled with Christmas Tree Candy (purchased with rewards on clearance)
    • Day 8: 2 Snowman Coloring Books and 1 Princess & 1 Cars Coloring Craft Ornaments (purchased with rewards on clearance)
    • Day 9: 2 Snowman Headbands (purchased with rewards on clearance)
    • Day 10: Rub on Color Pattern Craft (received free with a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Deal)
    • Day 11: A pair of Fuzzy Slippers for each – 1 Pink Set and 1 Purple Set. (Picked Up on Black Friday)
    • Day 12: PJs for each to wear Christmas Eve – 1 with Owls and 1 with Rockets (Picked Up on Sale and used a Coupon)

    Other Ideas for 12 Days of Christmas:

    • Hair Accessories
    • Facial Cleansers or Make Up – if you have a teenager just starting to wear makeup or want to update your collection my Mary Kay contact is doing a 12 Day of Christmas set!  If your husband is looking for something awesome to get you he may want to contact Ann too.
    • Socks or Tights
    • Chapstick
    • Socks
    • Gloves or Scarf
    • Card Game
    • Construction Paper
    • Markers or Crayons
    • Matchbox cars
    • Small Toys
    • Baby Doll Clothes
    • Christmas Underwear
    • The ideas are endless!

    I wrapped them in the original boxes or found ones around the house to put the items into.  The Christmas paper was purchased on clearance last year with rewards.  Many of the items we purchased on clearance throughout the year and / or used CVS – ECBs and Walgreens – Register Rewards.  I cannot remember the price for all the items but with the rewards it may have been under $10 out of pocket for the entire set of 12 gifts and some days had multiple items in them.  We did a joint stack for our girls to save money, however, the items we picked match their individual interests (for example the craft with one being princess and the other being cars).  When the girls walked into the room and saw the stack of gifts they were super excited.  Now they are counting down the days to Monday, December 13th to start the 12 Days of Christmas celebration.

  • Giving Thanks

    I am blessed!  There are so many things in my life to be thankful for today and everyday.  Life may not always go as planned but I do have a lot of blessings in my life.

    I am thankful for…

    • My husband who is my best friend, loves me, makes me laugh, encourages me, cheers me on, lifts me up when I have fallen,  takes care of me and our girls and so much more.  Love him to pieces!!!
    • Our kids bring a lot of laughter and joy to my life.   Each one brings their own dynamics to the family and I am proud of my girls.
    • Fun Memories with my family and friends.  I have blessed with a lot of amazing memories, events, and great times with the people in my laugh.
    • Family is an important part of my life both my immediate and extended family members.  Thankful to have so many family members that love us, pray with us, and are an active part of our lives.
    • Friends who have been with me through the joyous parts of my life as well as some tough times while being an encouragement, blessing and prayer partner. I am thankful for those true blue friends in my life.
    • A Home to live in and provide shelter for my family and a place to host fun events with family, friends, and neighbors.
    • Our Pets have been a blessing in my life, whether it is relaxing on the couch with my hubby watching the fish or taking a walk with Skipper.  They all have left a mark on my heart for which I am thankful.
    • Neighbors because they have become part of my life and provide opportunities for us to help, pray, and encourage others.
    • Food we have never had to go starve or go without a meal.  My husband is an amazing cook and I love it when he cooks for the family.
    • Clothes we have always had plenty of clothes to wear.
    • Hugs & Kisses are a true treasure.  A hug from my girls or friend and a kiss from my husband are a blessing.
    • Snuggles provide the quiet time with my family I enjoy very much, whether it is reading, watching a movie or just sitting on the couch and talking I am thankful for these precious moments.
    • And Most Important God’s Involvement in my life, He has shown me a lot of love, grace, and mercy in the past 30 plus years for which I am very thankful.

    Thanksgiving is a great time to look at all the blessings in our lives.   Let us try to remember all the good things in our lives everyday.  Life is more enjoyable when we have a positive outlook.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


  • Thanksgiving Recipe: Hugs & Kisses Cheesecake

    The best for last…..yes dessert!  I love dessert, pretty much any type of sweet is good with me!  I started making this chocolate chip cheesecake about 10 years ago.  Not sure where we got the recipe from but it has been a hit at many events.  If you are looking for something delicious but different for the Thanksgiving dessert try this one out.

    Hugs & Kisses Cheesecake:

    • 2 – (3 ounce) packages of Cream Cheese, softened
    • 1 (14 ounce) can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup mini Chocolate Chips
    • 1 teaspoon Flour
    • 1 prepared Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust (8 or 9 inch) OR make your own with 2 cups of Oreo Cookies and a tablespoon of melted butter.
    • Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses (optional on top as decorations)

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix cream cheese until fluffy; slowly beat in the Sweetened Condensed Milk until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

    Toss chocolate chips with flour and stir into cream cheese mixture.  Pour into the crust.

    Bake for 35 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly touched.  Cool completely.

    Optional – Chocolate Glaze:  Heat 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips and 1/4 cup whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat.  Stir until thickened and smooth.  Immediately spread over cooled cheesecake.

    Optional – Decorate the edges of the cheesecake with chocolate shavings and / or Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses.

    Once complete refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve chilled.

    Picture courtesy of Tastebook!